Sergey Stepashin on Igor Sergun: "He knew how to fight. And cherished people"

Read on the website Vestnik Kavkaza

The Director of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Russia unexpectedly died in Moscow. The country learned about this from a telegram of condolence published on the website of the President Vladimir Putin. I telephoned one of the oldest comrades of General Sergun...

- Sergey Vadimovich, you knew Igor Dmitrievich Sergun?

- Well, in general, of course, I knew him, just like all the heads of this service.

- What can you say about him?

- A brilliant professional. If we talk about the results of Russia's foreign policy, there is a considerable contribution from the GRU. A strong leader.

- Did Colonel-General Sergun also participate in the development of, well, projects and doctrines?

- Of course.

- And as for the main work...

- And the largest part of the most complex operations is, of course, the GRU.

- What kind of operation do you mean?

- I can't tell that.

- Then tell me, please, who was this man by his nature? The condolences of President Vladimir Putin say that he was known as a real military officer, experienced, a competent commander...

- I remember him in the first Chechen War, and a little in the second. At that time there were other directors, and he was, as they say, on the frontlines. He knew how to fight.

- At that time he also worked in this system?

- Of course.

- What do you mean, he knew how to fight?

- He cherished people. Secondly, I believe that the GRU is one of the strongest intelligence services in the world. Not only that – they preserved this structure at the time. Also, I do not know of any mistake made by the GRU, at least in my time [Stepashin was the prime minister, he led the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Justice and the Lubyanka - Alexander Gamov].

And, of course, General Sergun understood what continuity is. He cherished it. It is very important. I express my condolences to the family and service. Igor Sergun died while at his post...

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